My Genealogy Hound

JOHN P. NELSON was born March 3, 1855, in Jonkopings Lon, Sweden, and is a son of Nels and Karrie Johnson. He came to America in 1868 and located in Cannon River Falls, Goodhue country, Minn., where he followed farming. In 1877 he immigrated to Nebraska, settling at Phelps Center, Phelps county, where he took a timber claim. He accepted a position in a mercantile establishment and moved to Kearney, Nebr., in 1878. While there a fire broke out in the business portion of the city, which he helped to subdue, and by his heroic efforts was instrumental in preventing a destructive configuration. The exposure he underwent at this fire so impaired his health that he was not able to do any thing for more than a year. After regaining his health he entered the employ of Mr. G. Kramer, at Kearney. Mr. Kramer did an extensive mercantile business, owning establishments in various parts of the country. He established himself at once in the confidence of his employer, which was demonstrated in 1884 when Mr. Kramer put Mr. Nelson in charge of a branch house at Holdrege. His employer in the meantime having retired from business, our subject, Ledlie and Rea began business in the same line. His fair dealing and integrity made him very popular among his customers. Business men looked upon him as a man of more than average business ability, and, looking over the field for an available man for county clerk, he was chosen by his party to fill that position in 1887, and began the discharge of his official duties January 5, 1888. He is a painstaking, accommodating and thoroughly efficient officer, as the neatness and accuracy of the county records and his popularity will bear witness. His official career was endorsed in 1889 by a re-election to the same position, and he will no doubt continue to meet the confidence of his constituents as long as he is retained in office. He is the right man in the right place. He was married November 13, 1880, to Miss Hilda, daughter of Johan Johnson and a native of Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Free Lutheran church, in the affairs of which they take an active part. Mr. Nelson affiliates with the republican party and is capable, honest and progressive, and, being a thorough business man and public-spirited citizen, he has a bright future before him.